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3 Answers
- GTBLv 78 years agoFavorite Answer
The so called "rubber trees" that grow in select climates, produce a sap that contains a natural latex rubber.
The sap is tapped much like it is tapped for maple syrup and collected.
Unlike maple syrup, the sap is acidified to shift the equilibrium and protinate the latex anion. This causes the latex to become an insoluble material that is filtered from the solution. The insoluble is the natural latex which is then shipped for further treatment and ultimately converted to finished goods.
Synthetic rubber differs in that it is made by polymerization of ethylene, butadiene, styrene, acrylonitrile and other monomers.
Source(s): Chemical engineer who spent many years in the rubber, polymer, plastic and related industries.
